Walking out of the Hokage's office alone, Kakashi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As expected, the higher-ups didn't object to the plan. Increasing the success rate and reducing the death toll was something they couldn't reasonably oppose. The meeting had been nothing more than a formality.
What annoyed him more was Danzo's move afterward—he directly extended an invitation to join Root. Thankfully, Tsunade immediately rejected the idea on his behalf, citing him as a candidate for the future director of Konoha Hospital. Without her timely intervention, things might have gotten messy.
The reason he had left the meeting last was because the Third Hokage had asked him to stay. With a kind expression, the old man had shared words of encouragement, telling Kakashi how much potential he had, how they were nurturing him to be a future leader, and how the Will of Fire had finally taken root in him. Words that came late—but still came.
Kakashi shook his head, trying to dispel the lingering speech from his mind.
He made a detour to pick up some glutinous rice balls and sweet Anko sand buns before heading back to the laboratory.
Although human experimentation had been suspended, he still had approval to continue researching the First Hokage's cells. Perhaps Tsunade's words carried more influence than he'd thought. Apart from assisting with necessary tasks, Orochimaru had given him surprising freedom—so much so that even rare materials like the First Generation's cells were made available to him.
Kakashi had been suspicious of this generous treatment at first, wondering if Orochimaru had some ulterior motive or interest in his body. But after a long period of peace, his vigilance gradually relaxed. Eventually, he even stopped concealing his interest in the First Hokage's cells.
He'd speculated on Orochimaru's reasons for treating him so well. Perhaps it was guilt—some unspoken debt to Tsunade due to Nawaki's tragic death?
Pushing away those scattered thoughts, Kakashi handed the rice balls and sweet buns to Mitarashi Anko. Despite her surprised reaction, he turned his focus back to the experiment.
In truth, even Orochimaru didn't know the real reason Kakashi was obsessed with the First Hokage's cells—it wasn't because of Wood Style. That was merely a bonus. His true goal was the Sage Body.
The higher-ups still harbored illusions of returning Konoha to its golden age through Wood Style, but Kakashi saw through that dream. Wood Style was only powerful because the First Hokage himself had been powerful.
As the saying went: First Hokage's Wood Style could conquer the world, Yamato's Wood Style could decorate the garden.
Madara's disdain made this difference obvious.
If one looked closely, the First Hokage's Wood Style had traits suspiciously similar to the Sacred Tree's—suppressing tailed beasts, absorbing chakra, and more. Such godlike abilities couldn't come from merely combining Earth and Water natures.
So if Kakashi, not being Ashura's reincarnation, wished to achieve that kind of strength, there was only one path: acquiring the immortal body of the First Hokage. That was the true purpose behind his participation in the Wood Style experiments.
---
Ding-ling-ling~
Who knows how much time had passed when the soft ringing of an alarm snapped Kakashi out of his focus.
He glanced at the clock. One hour left until his teaching shift at Konoha Hospital. His stomach growled in protest, reminding him he hadn't eaten since morning.
"I'll grab something at Ichiraku," he muttered to himself.
Just as he was packing up, a soft voice interrupted him.
"Um… thank you for the food."
He looked up in surprise.
Little Anko stood nearby, holding her food with both hands, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Tsk… So, Maru is her true love, huh?
Kakashi remembered clearly how Anko, ever since he joined Orochimaru's lab, had been cold and wary—probably because she feared being replaced. But now, a couple of meatballs had won her over?
Amused, he gave her a nonchalant look. "Just a thank you?"
Anko lowered her head. Her hands gripped the neatly organized experiment documents tightly.
She hesitated, then mumbled, "What else can I do… I don't have any money."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Can you afford ramen at Ichiraku?"
"Huh?" Anko looked up, confused.
"I treated you to rice balls and sweets. How about you treat me back with ramen?"
Anko blinked a few times, processing his words.
She was about to agree, but paused. What if this guy is a big eater? What if my pocket money's not enough?
After a moment of internal struggle, she finally nodded. "Okay… But I have to deliver these to Lord Orochimaru first. Don't worry—I won't go back on my word! Or… you can come with me if you want."
"It's fine. I believe you. I'll wait at Ichiraku."
"Alright. Give me twenty minutes!"
They split up at the lab door. Kakashi watched her small figure trot away and chuckled, shaking his head.
Is this what they call indulging a guilty pleasure?
He arrived at Ichiraku Ramen and sat at the counter. Ayame, who was helping out, greeted him warmly, and the two started chatting.
Right on time—less than twenty minutes later—a petite figure rushed in, panting slightly.
"Over here," Kakashi called, waving his hand.
Little Anko spotted him immediately, calmed her breathing, and walked over to sit beside him.
"This is for you," Kakashi said, handing her a chilled Anko smoothie he'd ordered in advance.
She blinked, puzzled. "Huh?"
Kakashi chuckled. "Relax. I was just teasing. This meal's on me."
Anko flushed, caught off guard. "Ah… I mean… I thought—"
"Didn't you say you didn't have much money? Why, don't want it now?" he teased again.
"No, no! I mean, I do… but…"
"Alright, alright. We're partners now, right? No need to be so formal. I'm counting on you in the lab!"
His eyes curved gently as he smiled.
Anko's nervousness melted away at once. She straightened up and patted her chest confidently. "Don't worry! I've got your back!"
Kakashi raised a hand. "Uncle Ichiraku! Two bowls of miso ramen. One not spicy."
"Huh? How do you know I don't like spicy food?" Anko looked at him, surprised.
"Haha, that's a secret."
"Fine, don't tell me then," she huffed and pouted. But as soon as she scooped a spoonful of smoothie into her mouth, all her curiosity vanished.
Kakashi watched her as she happily ate beside him. A trace of softness passed through his usually calm eyes.
In the original timeline, Anko had once stood on equal footing with people like Minato. Though not as talented, her identity as Orochimaru's apprentice and a student of a Sannin gave her a strong foundation.
But everything crumbled when Orochimaru defected.
The sky fell on her world. Orphaned at a young age and raised by Orochimaru, she lost her emotional anchor overnight. Worse, the village branded her as the disciple of a traitor, causing her future to take a nosedive.
She had no one to turn to. Left in emotional ruin, she continued training with only one goal: to die with Orochimaru. Such a tragic tangle of love, hate, and betrayal… it was hard not to feel for her.
---
"Hey, Kakashi," Anko said after finishing her smoothie, "I heard you're Lady Tsunade's disciple. Why did you want to be my master's assistant?"
Kakashi paused before answering, "Because Lord Orochimaru is an incredible scientist. If I can combine the medical skills I learned from Tsunade with the scientific knowledge I gain from him, maybe I can find a way to reduce the number of casualties in war."
Anko stared at him, dazed. She hadn't expected an answer like that.
"You're already thinking about such big things?" she murmured. "Well then… I hope you succeed."
Kakashi smiled at her sincerity and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Then I'll borrow your blessing."
"Hey! Don't touch my head! You messed up my hair!"
"It's fine. No one's going to see you anyway."
"Hmph!"